The monsoon has finally arrived. The sudden, mischievous downpour, the romance of the grey clouds and the bank of hanging mist on the Eastern Ghats leave one luxuriating in this much-loved season.
Think monsoon and several munchies come to the mind. It’s certainly a cliché but few joys can match up to the experience of watching the pitter-patter of rain on your window, a freshly brewed cup of coffee and some piping-hot pakodas. Being in a beach city with one of the longest coastlines, the unbridled pleasure of going on a long drive in the rains and the cool weather while relishing some monsoon snacks dotting the beach road can be one of the best pleasures of the season. Metroplus lists out some hot favourites of the season.
Fast food delights
A drive to the view point near Jodugullapalem beach (beyond Tenneti Park junction) will treat you to some spicy munchies. A row of food trucks with many delightful snack options await visitors here. While this sea-facing spot is an all-time-favourite of the locals, the cool breezy monsoon days make it extra special. Naveen Kumar’s fast food van here is quite a hit with the evening crowd. From soups and noodles to rolls and fried rice, he offers a decent list of choices. “Monsoon is the best time for us. Business goes up by nearly 80 % when the weather is cool and it doesn’t rain that heavily. Most people here prefer noodles with Manchurian,” said Naveen Kumar who set up the food van three years ago. Beside his van, there is a chicken pakoda van, another fast selling monsoon snack, and a dosa food truck that offers 30 varieties of dosas. Visit this spot from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. to enjoy the delightful snacks while watching the beauty of monsoon unfold in front of you.
Momos
Momos during monsoon is something special. A plateful of these steamed delights with some spicy chilli sauce is the perfect solution to all of life’s problems, especially if you are stranded in the rain! No wonder then that the Momo Point opposite YMCA on the Beach Road is teeming with people in the evenings these days. This humble dish of dumpling or momos has won hearts across the country. While the momo craze in the city may not be as much as it is seen in North India, it surely is a hit during the rainy weather, and a monsoon favourite of the young college-going crowd of Vizag. “It is pocket-friendly, delightfully delicious and a healthy option. We come here during the weekends to enjoy the beauty of monsoon by the beachside while relishing a plateful of lip-smacking momos,” says Sai Teja, a B.Tech student.
Irani chai and more
This Hyderabadi specialty is flooring Vizagites for its uniqueness in taste and the rainy weather has further shot up the demand for Irani chai. A couple of years ago, a small stall in the tiny lane adjoining the Macca Masjid at Jagadamba was the only place that served this special tea variety. Today, Irani chai stalls have sprung up across the city. A popular among them is Sri Raja Rajeswari Irani tea centre near Tenneti Park. A sip of the Irani chai here is enough to tell you reason behind its popularity. In a span of less than two years, this tea centre has a dedicated 200 daily customers who zip down to this part of the beach road for a cup of Irani chai while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of coast. “With the monsoon setting in, the past few days has brought good business for us. Most people enjoy driving down to relish the chai over our special Hyderabadi biscuits in the rainy weather. On such good days, we make a daily business of Rs 4,000,” says Ramdas, the owner of the chai stall. The Irani tea centre also offers lemon tea, badam tea, coffee and green tea. Drive down to take a sip of heavenly flavoured tea. Irani chai is available from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Hot chocolate
While chai will remain a favourite, you cannot deny the fact that hot chocolate can give tea some serious competition. With several cafes opened up along the Beach Road, a mug of hot chocolate with friends while enjoying a rain-soaked evening can be a perfect way to unwind a hectic week. Barista, Café Coffee Day, Percolator and Coffee Wave are some of the beachside cafes to visit this monsoon weekend.
Corn
Rainy days are oddly satisfying, and a cup of boiled spicy corn or char grilled corns with butter and spices is one of the most comforting things you can relish during monsoons. Local vendors along the R.K. Beach selling corns during in the rainy weather are your go-to place for some monsoon fun. And if you would rather not venture out during this rainy weekend or just want to make something at home, corn is still your answer. Corn kernels served with generous serving of butter, salt, masala and a squeeze of lemon can warm the cockles of your heart.
